Twenty-Two Years Pass Over 1 February Terrorist Attack

PUKMEDIA

Photos and names of the 1 February 2004 martyrs.

On this day 22 years ago, on the first day of Eid al-Adha, terrorists carried out two coordinated suicide bombings in Erbil, targeting the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 105 officials and civilians, with hundreds more injured.

The bombings took place on 1 February 2004, when al-Qaeda-linked terrorists struck the PUK’s third headquarters and the KDP’s second branch simultaneously. Those killed had gathered to mark the first day of Eid al-Adha, a time traditionally associated with peace, tolerance and celebration.

The attacks sent shockwaves throughout Kurdish society and beyond, as the violence shattered the sanctity of a religious holiday and plunged the city of Erbil into mourning. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the Kurdistan Region’s history and a painful reminder of the cost of extremism.

The Political Bureau of the PUK issued a statement to recall the great tragedy, stating: “The terrorists once again proved that they are enemies not only of humanity, democracy and freedom, but also of all social and religious values, as the attacks were carried out on the first day of Eid al-Adha, turning moments of joy and celebration into scenes of bloodshed and plunging the city of Erbil into deep grief.”

“As this painful anniversary is commemorated, our people once again face the threat of terrorism and the danger of genocide, with West Kurdistan (North and East Syria) emerging as the epicentre of this legitimate struggle. Kurds across Kurdistan and in the diaspora continue to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters, demonstrating a strong spirit of national and patriotic unity,” the statement added.

“This moment demands that the political forces of Kurdistan rise to their responsibilities and respond to the aspirations of our people by strengthening unity, confronting these threats, and reinforcing the values of freedom,” the statement reaffirmed.



PUKMEDIA